of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
(Mark 10:13-16) Prayer: O Jesus, I will accept your Kingdom like a little child. Imagination: (Picture Jesus surrounded by children and the disciples.) Context: Right after Jesus’ teaching on the permanence of marriage, Mark places this story of children (the fruit of marriage). Earlier, Jesus spoke of not scandalizing the little ones. Now, he sees …
Continue reading “MAY 21, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – SATURDAY – THE LITTLE CHILDREN”
(Mark 10:1-12) Prayer: O Jesus, you have come to restore creation as it was in the beginning. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining his ideals to his disciples.) Context: Jesus believes that through the power of the Kingdom of God, all creation can be restored to God’s original plan. His critics cite Moses’ teaching about a decree …
Continue reading “MAY 20, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – FRIDAY – LET NO MAN SEPARATE”
(Mark 9:41-50) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to live according to your highest ideals. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining his ideals to his disciples.) Context: These teachings deal with moral life in the Christian community. First, disciples must give good example to the “little ones” (the newer members). Secondly, they must make radical sacrifices to avoid …
Continue reading “MAY 19, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – THURSDAY – RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DISCIPLE”
(Matthew 5:38-48) Prayer: O Jesus, overcome in me any desire to exclude others. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching John and the other Eleven) Context: Jesus has just spoken about service within the Christian community. He now teaches about relating to those outside the Community. Jesus rejects a close-mindedness that would result in exclusivity. He wants the …
Continue reading “MAY 18, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – WEDNESDAY – AGAINST EXCLUSIVITY”
(Mark 9: 30-37) Prayer: Jesus, teach me to be a little one, living in the simplicity of a child. Imagination: (Picture Jesus, with his arms around a child, teaching his disciples.) Context: The disciples have just failed to drive out a demon. Now, they do not understand Jesus’ teaching about suffering. Worst of all, they …
Continue reading “MAY 17, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – TUESDAY – THE EXTRA MILE”
(Mark 9:14) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Set me free from the Evil One. Imagination: (Picture the boy’s father pleading with Jesus.) Context: The disciples are going backward. Earlier, they had great success in driving out demons. Now, they are total failures. Jesus gets exasperated. The difficulty is their lack of faith. The boy’s father knows …
Continue reading “MAY 16, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – MONDAY – THE BOY WITH A DEMON”
(John 20:19-23) Prayer: Jesus, breathe upon me and send your Holy Spirit. Imagination: (Picture the Risen Jesus appearing to the fearful disciples.) Context: Jesus comes to the frightened disciples on Easter Sunday night. This is “John’s Pentecost”, because Jesus bestows the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, Luke speaks of the disciples praying in tongues. John’s gospel …
Continue reading “MAY 15, 2016 – PENTECOST SUNDAY (C) – JOHN’S PENTECOST”